News > Friedlander to Direct Wolfe's "Charlotte Simmons"

Liz Friedlander has been hired to direct "I Am Charlotte Simmons," a film based on the novel of the same name by Tom Wolfe. The novel tells the story of an "innocent country girl" struggling with the trials and tribulations of her freshman year at the fictional Dupont University.

Friedlander's CV is dominated by music videos for artists such as R.E.M., Blink-182, and Celine Dion, but she's also directed some fiction work, such as episodes of "One Tree Hill" and the recent Antonio-Banderas-teaches-public-school-kids-how-to-dance movie "Take the Lead" (tagline: "Never follow"). John Watson ("Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves") will write the screenplay, while Essential Entertainment will put up the money and distribute the film.

As The Hollywood Reporter points out, Tom Wolfe hasn't seen a feature adaptation of his work since Brian De Palma directed "Bonfire of the Vanities" in 1990 to disastrous results. Best of luck to Liz Friedlander, who has some legacy to contend with.

-David Morgan